Hendricks goes on DL with finger injury

CHICAGO -- The Cubs placed right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, because of inflammation in a tendon on the back of the middle finger of his right hand.

Hendricks was scheduled to start Friday against the Rockies, but now was expected to return for the Cubs' series June 16-18 against the Pirates. Lefty Mike Montgomery will make his first start of the season Friday.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs placed right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, because of inflammation in a tendon on the back of the middle finger of his right hand.

Hendricks was scheduled to start Friday against the Rockies, but now was expected to return for the Cubs' series June 16-18 against the Pirates. Lefty Mike Montgomery will make his first start of the season Friday.

"It's something we do not think is serious or long term and that he'll miss this start and should be, we expect, at some point in the Pittsburgh series," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said of Hendricks.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon heard about the problem Wednesday but then athletic trainer PJ Mainville contacted him Thursday morning to suggest having Hendricks miss a start.

"If we let it rest right now, it should go away," Maddon said. "That's what we're chosing to do."

The Cubs had talked about having Montgomery make a spot start to give the regular five in the rotation a break, and it's just happening a little earlier than expected. The lefty has been stretched out and threw 51 pitches over 3 1/3 innings in his last outing Monday against the Marlins. This will be his first start since last Sept. 15. He started seven games last season for the Cubs. In his career, he's 5-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 23 starts.

The Cubs selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Seth Frankoff from Triple-A Iowa, and to make room on the 40-man roster, transferred lefty Brett Anderson to the 60-day disabled list. Anderson went on the DL on May 7 with a lower back strain. He was 2-2 with an 8.18 ERA in six starts with the Cubs and was rehabbing at the team's complex in Mesa, Ariz. Anderson has already been sidelined more than 30 days, and the move is procedural and not because of any setback.

Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB)While Hendricks owners are likely disappointed in the right-hander's performance thus far this season (4.09 ERA), even those who are dealing with multiple pitcher injuries should resist the urge to drop the '16 Major League ERA leader (2.13). Shallow-league Hendricks owners can check waivers for a replacement such as Dan Straily or Mike Foltynewicz, while those in deeper leagues can take a look at Zack Godley, Randall Delgado or Dinelson Lamet.